LUCY'S INSPIRATION FOR AW13

Ever wonder where the ideas behind our new collection of funky fabrics and gorgeous colours really begin? Winter sunsets, magnified snowflakes and a healthy dusting of glitter are just a few fabulous things that inspired one of our designers Lucy Enfield when it came to creating this season's pieces...

"Walking in the arid hills of Tuscany, Sophie and I came across a stunning single flower which seemed to be surviving against all odds. The low evening sun shone through the petals creating what we thought would be a beautiful skirt. In designing the Westbourne Top and Grove Skirt we thought of how lace is deep rooted in nature - flowers, snowflakes and winter sunsets. Here the white lace of the skirt sits over the pink lining to give a glowing warmth, and the pink lace on the soft jersey top is a counter balance which translates into a cool party outfit. The Coral Cardi and tights complete these memories of a sunset. The search for more stunning inspiration could continue with further treks down the lane when wearing the practical yet pretty golden glitter pumps."

Favourite party dress?

"The Tokyo Nights Dress. I like the dichotomy of the girly, glittery fabric."

Favourite accessory?

"The Tiger Necklace - it's a little mad and irreverent!"

BACK TO SCHOOL - HANDMADE NOTEBOOKS

The end of summer is approaching but we think the best thing about going back to school is picking funky new stationary and (even though we already have five pencil cases). And what could be cooler than a personalised notebook for your secret scribbles and bright ideas? Just follow these simple steps….

1) First step...pick an old fabric, your favourite wrapping paper or postcard and cover the bottom page using glue or hard card with your choice of print or image. This makes sure the book has your own personal design and look - be creative!

2) Stack your left over paper in a pile – cut them all to the same size. Do not worry about being different colours, lined or not lined this is all part of the fun of it being your own individual notebook!

3) Lay the stacked sheets of paper down…so the edges meet. Fold the first sheet of paper in half - draw a line with pencil down the fold if it helps to show where to sew - fold back to the rest of the pieces of paper.

4) Using a sewing machine sew down the penciled line using single thread stitch. If you are using a needle and thread, then take a bull-dog clip (if you do not have any – use a clamp or something to hold paper still). Push your pencil or needle along the line making holes to sew through.

N.B. Depending on how thick your book is you might be able to do this in one go. If not, separate into smaller chunks and sew together once finished.

5) To use needle and thread, tie a knot around the head of the needle this will stop the thread from falling out of the needle as you go. Weave you thread in and out of the holes you have made down the line of the paper. Sew three to four times as tight as possible.

6) When you reach the bottom for the final time, chop! Cut the left over threads off or tie spare threads in a nice bow – whatever you like best. Then fold the book and, Volia! For the wow factor you can customise with bows and ribbon, or some sequins and gems for a bit of bling!

SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE WEDDING BLOGS.

1) Belle Amour – This is an easy viewing, alternative wedding blog that offers quirky and creative wedding ideas with a “Less of the traditional more of the original” approach. http://www.belleamour.co.uk/







2) Festival Brides – This one is for the free spirited. Founders Laura and Kelly hope to inspire like-minded individuals who are planning the most important day of their lives. www.festivalbrides.co.uk









3) Love My Dress – A vintage inspired wedding blog that has collated tonnes of glamorous and chic ideas, set to make you feel fabulous on your big day. A truly fab blog! http://www.lovemydress.net/









4) Style Me Pretty – An American Wedding blog showcasing only the most fabulous imagery and fashion forward ideas. www.stylemepretty.co.uk









5) Rock My Wedding – Another fabulous UK based wedding blog filled with gorgeous images of other people's weddings, the perfect source of inspiration for brides-to-be. www.rockmywedding.co.uk









6) London-Bride – The London Bride is a fresh and stylish wedding blog for all those looking for alternative and creative ideas for weddings in the big city. 
www.londonbride.com






7) Whimsical Wonderland Weddings – With stylish and beautiful content, Whimsical Wonderland Weddings is all about the couple's behind the images who get the chance to tell their story.
www.whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com






8) Boho Weddings - ‘Create the wedding you want, not the wedding you’re told to have!' The tagline perfectly sums up this great blog.
http://www.boho-weddings.com/







9) Before the Big Day - A great blog for the bride looking for inspirational tips, pics and ideas. 
www.beforethebigday.co.uk

Images from the ilovegorgeous classic collection - beautiful, vintage inspired dresses for bridesmaids, flower girls and confirmation gowns: http://www.ilovegorgeous.co.uk/index.php/bridesmaids/

Lula’s fashion diary

SCHOOLS OUT scream and shout! This is where my summer began. I wore my ILG love jumper to go with my fluorescent orange skirt and Nikes (my new favourite colour). A perfect way to brighten the end of a summer term.

A summer evening on a Greek island, going into town with my sisters and friends. I wear my jolly yellow ILG dress with this cute fish print mini rucksack and a matching scrunchie in my hair. My jelly shoes make me a little taller and the dress is backless so it shows off my faint Indian henna.

Summers bloomin’ so I’m wearing dazzling colours like my ILG rainbow sparkled striped jumper with my simple denim mini skirt. To finish off the outfit I chuck my fluorescent pink satchel over my shoulder which carries all that I need for the day.

In my spare time I love to play with my puppies! This is me wearing my pretty, light and vintage ILG dress. It's perfect for the summer sun...

Next month I am super excited to be creating my favourite autumn looks taken from new ilovegorgeous AW13 collection. Watch this space!

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          love from Lula x

Calling on the Jellymongers and their incrEdible experience at Kew Gardens!

Jelly moulding wizardry, neon lakes and crazy golf with bakewell tarts; Bompas & Parr have been hailed as the 20^th century Willy Wonker...but we think they’re way cooler. The two friends began making bespoke jelly moulds in 2007 and before they knew it they were feeding a Prime Minister and Heston Blumenthal with their creative delights. Now Sam Bompas and Harry Parr, who turned the River Lea emerald green last month, wow the world with their psychadelic experiences and artworks. ilovgorgeous were so intrigued by the mischievous duo that we tracked Sam Bompas down in his lab to ask him some questions...

If you were a fruit what would you be? 

A durian fruit... I'm obsessed with the eerily flavoured flesh. The fruits are so pungent that they are banned on public transport across South East Asia. My grandfather got so into them that he once ended up in hospital with durian fever for eating too many (and not drinking whisky like locals do to balance it out). I eat all I can get my hands on! 

If you could create a crazy Bompas & Parr lunchbox, what would you put in it?

Candy sticks, pastel finger sandwiches, marbled quails eggs.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A lawyer. Doing this is far more fun!

Where would be the ultimate place to pull off a Bompas & Parr spectacle?

In the stomach of a living whale (without injuring it). 

What's been your favourite experiment/project so far?

Exploding jellies, and also the Truvia Voyage of Discovery where we flooded the roof of Selfridges to create a boating lake and float-up bar. 

If you could create a Bompas & Parr ice cream flavour, what would it be?

Old champagne sorbet 

Jelly pebbles, exploding jelly, stripy jelly... you have done it all! Can you still bare to eat jelly?!

We keep learning new things with jelly - there are ever more creative challenges. At the moment we are working on filling the Tate Modern's Turbine Hall with jelly. We've worked out the engineering challenges already.... 

Bompas & Parr have many cool projects coming up that are set to amaze; like the wedding cake explosion service, Guinness tasting and their latest fruity installation, “The IncrEdibles” at Kew Gardens. We had to go see it for ourselves, and loved it so much that we are running a competition to give away a family ticket to Kew gardens including the Bompas & Parr fruit salad boating experience. You can teach your little ones about the weird and wonderful world of edible plants, visit a floating pineapple island and discover the banana grotto beneath. We loved it and we know you will too, so take a sneak peak at our photos below and ENTER HERE!

To compliment Bompas & Parr’s tropical installation they have self published their own juicy book “Tutti Frutti”. You can pick your favouite fruity cover with a peelable fruit sticker title - view on their wesbsite here

ilovegorgeous meets Molly-Meg Price...

molly-meg is an innovative children's design shop that offers a mix of modern and classic design. Whether you are looking for a multi-functional bunkbed, a retro geometric blanket or an unusual gift (we especially love the sea-life water pistols!) molly-meg will certainly help you make your home a fun and creative place. Here ilovegorgeous talks to founder Molly-Meg Price...

You are from a fashion design background, what made you start up molly-meg? 

Since I was six years old I have wanted my own shop - except then it was an old fashioned sweet shop! I started molly-meg in 2009 whilst working as a childrenswear designer in London and New York. I came across so many undiscovered designs for children from all over the world and I became hooked on selling children's vintage chairs when I spotted a Costco booster seat at the Rose Bowl flea market.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I get to work with designers who make bespoke items for me, which helps make molly-meg different and more unique. I recently came across the work of Sincerely Louise who design and make beautiful knitted animal heads to hang on walls. These are taxidermy without the guilt and far nicer! 

What do you get up to when you aren’t working?

I enjoy wandering around my favourite haunts like Columbia Road flower market on a Sunday and spending time with my two year old niece Tilly. I also love to travel and am planning a US road trip later this year with a friend who is researching a book about artisans of America. 

 
What would you give as a gift to the royal baby?

I would give the Royal baby a baby Bobby blanket by 'Lucky Boy Sunday', a crochet rabbit rattle by 'anne claire petit' and the black and white picture flash cards by 'Wee Gallery. '

Describe your ideal summer party...

A huge picnic by a lake in the countryside, with good music, a barbecue, and swimming. An old school fair with games like splat the rat and a coconut shy.

Do you have a favourite fairytale/story?

Columbia Road flower market

When I was younger I was obsessed with Pippi Longstocking and her pigtails! Also anything written by Roald Dahl: The BFG, Twits, James and the Giant Peach and so on...

And finally...do you have a favourite ilovegorgeous piece?

I have been a fan of ilovegorgeous since the beginning and I love that the bridesmaid dresses include some of the classics like the Marie Antoinette dress which is true fairytale dress, perfect for twirling. 

If you want to see more exciting designs by molly-meg, visit design junction where she will be exhibiting on 18th-22nd September. And in the spirit of festivals and summer parties we are running a competition with Molly Meg to win a £50 voucher to spend in her online store. Simply answer our question here
 http://on.fb.me/18RiOoX

The ilovegorgeous festival guide...

It may be August but the summer is still jam-packed full of wondrous events and festivals tailor-made for families. Marvel at jaw-dropping circus acts and dragon parades, explore enchanted woods and get involved in unique workshops like how to build homes for fairies! To make it easy for you we have picked our favourite family-friendly festivals, all coming up in the next month…Happy Glamping!

   

Standon Calling, Herts, 2nd-4th August

This imaginative festival has a “Run away from the circus” theme this year with live acts, trapeze lessons and a Circus Smell Safari. The best part is that under-13s get in absolutely free. 

Camp Bestival, Dorset, 1st-4th August

This is a boutique musical festival with an avalanche of activities to keep you and your little one entertained. Head to the Upper Kid’s Garden to find lessons for budding ballerinas or to learn a circus skill. We think the magical backdrop of Lulworth castle couldn’t be more perfect for this year’s fancy dress theme, Fairytales. 

 

For some glitter and sparkle whilst you're there we recommend the show stopping ilovegorgeous Serpentine Skirt.

 

  



Green Man, Glanusk Wales, 15th- 18thAugust

This festival is located in the stunning Black Mountains in the Welsh wilderness and is guaranteed to unleash your free-spirited Pocahontas. Children can join in eco workshops such as forest cooking in the Enchanted Woodland. 

No accessory captures the hippie spirit more than our beautiful Rose Headress, the finishing touch to your girl’s festival outfit.    

Shambala, Near Market Harborough, 22nd-25thAugust

Shambala is a child-friendly festival with a wild side! Over this year’s August bank holiday Shambaholics will flock to a magnificent secret location in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside to dance at the Shambala Carnival, or to relax and listen to bedtime stories with a cup of cocoa in the Family Camping Yurt.

The Big Feastival, The Cotswolds, 31stAugust – 1st Sept

The UK’s favourite TV chef, Jamie Oliver and Blur bassist Alex James, present this unique celebration of food and music. Keep little ones entertained and venture to The Little Dude’s Den, a vintage fun fair or get seriously creative in the Big Feastival workshop and of course enjoy lots of scrummy food and some seriously cool tunes.

The ilovegorgeous festival wardrobe 

Many of our summer pieces are inspired by woodland and wild flowers, which capture the ethereal spirit of the summer festival season. Whether it’s a whimsical tiered dress or an ice-cream girl playsuit you're after, ilovegorgeous has everything your little festival-folk could wish for. Start their festival wardrobe here: http://www.ilovegorgeous.co.uk/index.php/ 

Here are our festival essentials:

Baby Hat - Pink Tulip Print

Sunscreen and sun hats - with the summer sun looking to last a wee bit longer this is top of the list 

Wet wipes - absolutely essential, we need not elaborate! 

Umbrellas/ wellies (one can never be sure)

Ponchos and waterproofs (hopefully you won't need to use!)

Zip lock bags - always handy

Anti-bac handwash...

Torch -  (pack a spare battery too) for navigation when the sun goes down

Toys - keep little ones entertained in between all that entertainment!

Blanket - even a festival-goer needs a snooze

A pair of funky child-friendly headphones (so they aren't left with music ringing in their ears for weeks)

Pack some of their favourite snacks - just incase, although festival foodie-fare has come along way!

Crafty Tip: Make your own fluorescent flags, they are a great way to locate each other